Old World cities meet modern adventure along the St. Lawrence River. Take a kayak or canoe along the waterway as iconic structures built in the 1700s loom along the banks.

1) Montréal

Starting Point

Step onto Old Montréal’s cobblestone streets and feel time shift, as every turn reveals a cachet of history, like the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica and the silver-domed Bonsecours Market. Still popular since colonial times, Place Jacque-Cartier’s summer spoils include flowered sidewalk cafés, street entertainers and artists. Steps away, the Old Port brings you back to where it all began, at the shores of the majestic St. Lawrence River. People come here for panoramic cruises, lazy quayside promenades, and further upriver, whitewater rafting. A ferry ride takes you to Parc Jean-Drapeau where you can enjoy an amusement park, exquisite gardens and the Casino de Montréal, not mention the striking city skyline.

2) Trois-Rivières

Drive 88 miles, 1 hour, 37 minutes

On the northern shore of the St. Lawrence river, Trois-Rivières, (founded in 1634) makes for an agreeable stopover. Despite a fire that in 1908 leveled much of the historic kernel, the Old Town’s restored and reconstructed buildings set the stage for vibrant café society, a robust and varied dining scene, boutique shopping and a lively festival calendar. Most of the city’s main sights and landmarks dot the principle artery, Boulevard des Forges, including the Forges du Saint-Maurice, Ursulines Monastery, Notre-Dame-du-Cap Basilica and a foundry that dates back to the 1730s. Go paddling on the St. Lawrence River at the confluence of the St.-Maurice River.

3) Quebec City

Drive 80 miles, 1 hour, 24 minutes

In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier laid the foundations for a fort overlooking the St. Lawrence River. As the settlement grew, the locals successfully transplanted their rich French culture and customs to the local community. Today, Québec City gives off a distinctively Old World vibe, while still offering all of the amenities of a modern city. Set up camp near this quintessentially French Canadian metropolis and take a step into the region’s storied past. Significantly, Québec City has membership in a very exclusive club. Only a handful of North American communities can claim roots as far back as the early 16th century (St. Augustine, Florida, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, to name two). It is the only North American city outside of Mexico whose walls still stand; Quebec City boasts an astounding 2.8 miles of walls and gates.